LEAN MANUFACTURING SPECIALIST Job at Wood-Mizer Products in Batesville

About Wood-Mizer

Wood-Mizer is the world's largest manufacturer of portable sawmills, with over 100,000 mills sold in more than 100 countries. Wood-Mizer provides forestry and timber professionals around the world with a complete line of narrowband portable and industrial sawmills, wideband sawmilling equipment, resaws, edgers, kilns, molders/planers, firewood processing equipment, pallet recycling equipment, material handling equipment, bandsaw blades, and blade maintenance equipment.

Our Culture and Values

Wood-Mizer is dedicated to customer and employee-owner success, putting compassion and faith at the heart of the business, and committing to providing high-quality equipment that makes a positive difference in people's lives. Wood-Mizer is a 100% employee-owned company that believes every mill owner is an extension of our Wood-Mizer family - a philosophy that makes both our customers and employee-owners feel at ease.

What Makes Wood-Mizer Stand-Out

Wood-Mizer believes that investing in people is an investment in the future. As a result, we provide a variety of benefits to ensure that our employees-owners are healthy and happy so that we can all grow, learn, and innovate together.

• Equity: Through our ESOP, you can become a 100% owner and receive Wood-Mizer stock (Employee Stock Ownership Plan).
• Retirement: Matching funds in a 401k.
• Bonuses: Discretionary Bonus available monthly.
• Pay Options: We provide several methods for receiving biweekly payments, as well as the option for Wages On-Demand, which allows you to receive earned wages on a daily basis.
• Paid Time Off: PTO accrual begins with the first paycheck, with immediate eligibility for paid holidays, personal marriage, birth/adoption, and other events.
• FREE Health Care Access: We provide FREE access to Wood-Mizer’s Health Care Clinics by Marathon Health if you are covered by our health insurance.
• Insurance: Health, dental, vision, life insurance paid by the company, supplemental life insurance, and short- and long-term disability are all available.
• Workplace Giving Programs: Employee-owners who serve the community/those in need through monetary donations and hands-on work are eligible for a variety of benefits.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Wood-Mizer offers a generous tuition reimbursement program to help you achieve your long-term career goals.
• Annual Allowances: Employee-owners receive reimbursement for the cost of their own safety boots and safety glasses. Each year, they are also given money to spend on Wood-Mizer apparel and swag.
• Other Rewards: Companywide celebrations, company outings, complimentary coffee stations and fruit, gift cards for your birthday and anniversary, referral reward program, discounted shipping rate, and much more!

A Brief Overview

The Lean Manufacturing Specialist at Wood-Mizer is responsible for implementing Lean principles and practices to improve operational efficiency, reduce waste, and optimize the manufacturing process. This role involves working cross-functionally with teams to identify opportunities for improvement, facilitate Lean initiatives, and foster a culture of continuous improvement throughout Wood-Mizer.

Locations

Batesville, IN

What you will do

• Lead the development, implementation, and sustainment of Lean Manufacturing practices across production areas.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, process mapping, and problem-solving workshops to eliminate waste and improve efficiency.
• Identify and implement Lean tools such as 5S, Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, and Visual Management.
• Analyze production workflows and data to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to redesign processes and enhance value streams.
• Support teams in resolving operational challenges using Lean methodologies.
• Train employees at all levels on Lean concepts, tools, and techniques.
• Act as a coach and mentor to teams to encourage a culture of continuous improvement.
• Partner with leadership to integrate Lean principles into strategic decision-making processes.
• Develop and track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) related to Lean initiatives, such as cycle time, productivity, waste reduction, and on-time delivery.
• Ensure sustainability of Lean practices by embedding standards into daily operations.
• Ensure sustainability of Lean practices by embedding standards into daily operations.
• Ensure all Lean activities are conducted in a manner that supports and enhances workplace safety and complies with regulatory requirements.
• Occasional travel to other facilities or training sites may be required.

Education Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree Engineering, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or a related field. Required

Experience Qualifications

• 4-6 years Manufacturing, operations, or process improvement. Required
• 4-6 years Experience in implementing Lean Manufacturing practices and achieving measurable results. Required

Skills and Abilities

• Understanding of Lean principles and tools (e.g., 5S, Kanban, Standard Work, Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen). (High proficiency)
• Problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data and develop actionable insights. (High proficiency)
• Communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across teams and levels of the organization. (High proficiency)
• Using data analysis tools and software; experience with ERP systems is a plus. (Medium proficiency)
• Project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. (Medium proficiency)
• Change management and facilitating organizational transformation. (Medium proficiency)
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes, equipment, and supply chain management. (Medium proficiency)

Licenses and Certifications

• CSSBB - Six Sigma Black Belt Preferred

If you want a career, not just a job, apply today and learn how Wood-Mizer employee-owners are making a difference around the world!

Wood-Mizer offers equal employment opportunities to all employees and job applicants and prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment, regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.